Saturday, January 4, 2014

Going Back to Elementary School

As a children's literature writer, I love giving back to kids.

I say we embrace the new year by declaring to change the world one book at a time! Right before the holiday break, I had the pleasure of visiting my former elementary school, York Elementary, to read to two first grade classrooms.

I read my new holiday picture book, SANTA'S SECRET, to 38 children and three teachers. The kids were great listeners, asked several questions about writing, and were delighted to receive free autographed books. I also gave them crayons, coloring books, and Christmas candy. One classroom informed me they had researched me in advance by reading my blog and Amazon author page! I sure hope they visit again and see themselves here.

Going back to my former elementary school proved to be a delightful, nostalgic day. I visited the cafeteria and saw the stage where I played Mary in a Nativity scene. Guess that wouldn't happen these days, sadly. I also visited several classrooms where I once sat as a young girl eager to learn as an extremely shy student.

Afterward, I watched the yellow school buses line up in front awaiting excited children and looked longingly across the street where Andy's Grocery Store used to be. I told one of the teachers that Andy's always had a glass case full of penny candy and students would fill the store the minute school was over. Andy wasn't exactly a "kid" guy. In fact, he was a big grouch. Still, we loved his penny candy and his sour mood never kept us away even if we were slightly afraid of him.

Going back to York planted an indelible smile on my face for weeks afterward. I can still remember the students' smiles, applause, questions, and especially the little girl who hugged me and whispered, "I've never had my own crayons before." Tears sprang to my eyes as I gave her a tight embrace and wished her a Merry Christmas.

I'll never forget that day. I hope all kidlit authors do the same and visit their own schools.
Even if you only donate one book to a surprised child or to the school's library, you'll improve someone's life. Try it. Sprinkle some of that fairy dust. It's fun and what a great way to start 2014.

Nice visit. it meant the world to those kids. When I visited my elementary school for the first time after being gone for years I was stunned and small the spaces were--the cafeteria was much smaller than I recalled :) I can remember us kids racing from one end to the other--before the principle showed up LOL.

Aw, thanks, Lisa. I keep forgetting that you attended York! What street did you live on and did you go to Study or Pipkin? We lived on Lynn Street and I went to Pipkin. It was my pleasure to give back. I received a very good education at York and told the students that.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?

THE MISSING KEY

SANTA'S SECRET

About Me

After being a bank VP and a hospital PR Director, Beth Carter shed her suits and heels and waved bye-bye to corporate America.
She now happily writes from home in her pj's and has three children's picture books published: WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE? THE MISSING KEY and SANTA'S SECRET.
Carter's debut women's fiction, THURSDAYS AT COCONUTS, will be out August 2014 by Soul Mate Publishing.
She also has short stories and poems published in several anthologies and and six-word memoirs in three six-word memoir collections alongside famous writers and celebrities.
A fan of marketing after having worked in that field for 20 years, most days you'll find the author sipping a skinny vanilla latte at Barnes & Noble if she's not at T.J. Maxx or at home writing.